Unexpected Connections

Chapter 12: Acts of Gratitude

After the media scandal had finally settled, Claire felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Tom and James for their help in clearing her name. She decided to thank them in a way that felt personal and heartfelt—by baking them some homemade goods.

For Tom, the choice was easy. During a previous conversation about food, he had mentioned missing the taste of a local delicacy from his hometown. Claire decided to recreate that dish, hoping it would bring him a taste of home. She spent the afternoon in the kitchen, carefully following the recipe and adding her own touches to make it special.

Finding something to make for James was more challenging. She wasn't sure about his dietary restrictions, so she decided to text his agent's private number. James had given her both his and his agent's private numbers in case she needed to reach out again. She explained her intention and asked for guidance.

The agent responded promptly, explaining that James had a private chef and all the food he needed, but he understood the gesture's meaning. He suggested she make something with no sugar and less fat and provided an address where she could send it. Claire remembered the appetizers from the gala that James had mentioned liking and decided to make a few variations of those.

After spending some time in the kitchen, Claire packed all the baked goods and set off to deliver them. She first visited Tom, who was ecstatic when he saw the delicacy she had made. He almost squished her to death with a bear hug, exclaiming, "This tastes just like home! Thank you so much, Claire!"

Claire was delighted to see Tom so happy. "I'm glad you like it, Tom. You deserve it."

Next, she headed to James's agent's office to drop off his thank-you present. A couple of minutes after she had almost reached her and Alex's home, she received a message from James.

Thank you so much for the appetizers, Claire. They were delicious! I really appreciate it.

Claire smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She arrived home to find Alex in the kitchen, having discovered the leftovers.

"These are amazing, Claire," Alex said, taking a bite. "You really outdid yourself."

They sat down together, enjoying the leftover treats and talking about Alex's upcoming trip out of state. It was the first long trip since they had met, and both were reluctant to part with each other.

"I'll be back before the anniversary of my parents' death," Alex reassured her. "I wish you could come with me, but I know you have work."

"I'll miss you," Claire said, resting her head on his shoulder. "But we'll make it work. We always do."

They spent the evening cuddling on the couch, savouring their time together before Alex's departure. Despite the challenges they had faced, their bond had only grown stronger, and they knew they could handle whatever the future held.

The day of Alex's departure arrived all too quickly. Claire and Alex drove to the airport in comfortable silence, both of them feeling the weight of the impending separation. Claire tried to keep her emotions in check, but the thought of being apart from Alex for the first time since they had met was difficult to bear.

They parked the car and made their way to the terminal, hand in hand. The airport was bustling with activity, but it felt like they were in their own little bubble, trying to savour every last moment together.

At the check-in counter, Alex turned to Claire, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "I'll be back before you know it," he said, trying to reassure her.

Claire nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "I know. I'll miss you, though."

"I'll miss you too," Alex replied, pulling her into a tight embrace. They stood there for a long moment, holding each other as if trying to imprint the memory of this hug into their minds.

Finally, they made their way to the security checkpoint. Alex handed over his boarding pass and turned to Claire one last time. "Take care of yourself, okay? And call me if you need anything."

"I will," Claire promised, her voice barely above a whisper. "You take care too."

They shared a lingering kiss, neither wanting to be the first to pull away. When they finally did, Alex gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll call you as soon as I land."

Claire nodded, blinking back tears. "I'll be waiting."

With one last look, Alex turned and walked through the security gate. Claire watched him until he disappeared from view, her heart aching with the separation. She stood there for a moment, trying to gather her composure before heading back to the car.

As she drove home, Claire felt a mix of sadness and determination. She knew they would get through this, just as they had faced every other challenge together. And she looked forward to the day when Alex would return, knowing that their love would be stronger than ever.